Life line solo sailing

Recently I have been sailing in a public lake and as the year progresses I see fewer and fewer boats on the lake. Meaning fewer opportunities for assistance if something happens. Added to that I have seen Youtube videos of solo sailors falling into the water and trying to get back on their boat but the boat is sailing away and they haven't rigged a lifeline. I have a ladder and the boat should head into the wind and into irons effectively stopping the boat if I let go of the mainsheet, but if you are using the tiller tamer and cleat off your mainsheet isn't there a chance the boat can sail a fair distance on its own?? Has anyone rigged a lifeline? See any real need for one? As I get older I seem to be getting more cautious and tend to overthink things, thanks.

Looks like you need a sailing buddy. Short of that I would recommend sailing on main only, much less to tend to. Wear life jacket and sail upright if you know what I mean. Can still have a great time sailing with the sail let out so the boat never feels like it is going to go over, let the sheet line out quick. I don't even have the hiking straps on my boat. For one I don't want to hike out and two they are no longer in my way if they are not there. I want to stay in the boat. Nothing wrong with that.

Recently I have been sailing in a public lake and as the year progresses I see fewer and fewer boats on the lake. Meaning fewer opportunities for assistance if something happens. Added to that I have seen Youtube videos of solo sailors falling into the water and trying to get back on their boat but the boat is sailing away and they haven't rigged a lifeline. I have a ladder and the boat should head into the wind and into irons effectively stopping the boat if I let go of the mainsheet, but if you are using the tiller tamer and cleat off your mainsheet isn't there a chance the boat can sail a fair distance on its own?? Has anyone rigged a lifeline? See any real need for one? As I get older I seem to be getting more cautious and tend to overthink things, thanks.

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Might try 40' light floating line stringing behind to grasp in case you fall out. Loop of mesh strap looped out transom drain to use as a foot hold to climb back in. Test it, works fine for me.

When I capsized my crew went to the centerboard and I went to the gunnel that was in the water and held on. When the boat started to right it scooped me up into the boat. Then I healed the boat toward my crew and he held on to the shroud and pulled himself up, with some difficulty I might add. WFM.